Category Archives: Events

Volunteer Of The Year Award 2014: Rachel Jones

Events, People

Volunteer of the Year Award 2015

Rachel Jones with Councillor Myra Billings

Cathy Holden writes:

Rachel Jones has been named as recipient of the Chairman of Hart District Council’s Award for Fleet Pond Society’s ‘Volunteer of the Year 2014’. Rachel is a Hart Countryside Ranger with special responsibility for Fleet Pond and it was the unanimous vote of the Society Committee that Rachel should receive this award for frequently going beyond her regulated duties.

Rachel said: “I was really surprised and shocked! I feel very privileged. It is wonderful that the Society and the Ranger Service work together so well completing valuable work to enhance and protect the Fleet Pond Nature Reserve. I look forward to a long future of this wonderful relationship.”

The award was presented by Councillor Myra Billings, Chairman of Hart District Council, at the Society’s recent AGM. The citation stated:

“The Committee considered a number of names but one stood out above the others. This person is one who makes the monthly volunteer tasks always enjoyable and takes extra care that volunteers are made welcome and that they know how to work safely and effectively. This volunteer can also often be found joining the ad hoc, but often weekly, Last of the Summer Wine volunteer tasks which contribute voluntary labour to specific tasks. These tend to be tasks that could not be done by the wider range of age groups we host at the monthly tasks, as they can take volunteers into more hazardous conditions or involve use of mechanical equipment.

Members might think that this volunteer is an unusual choice as she is on the payroll of Hart Countryside Service and has a particular responsibility for Fleet Pond. Her dedication to Fleet Pond, her support for our volunteers and the numerous occasions on which she gives extra voluntary hours to any activity at Fleet Pond we believe qualifies her to receive this award. Her dedication and her infectious sense of humour and fun have made her a much valued member of our team.”

Colin Gray, Chairman of the Fleet Pond Society added: “I am very pleased that Rachel received the unanimous support of the FPS Committee as the chosen nominee for this award. It underlines the very positive, friendly and effective relationship that exists between the Society volunteers and the Hart Countryside Service.”

Picture credit: Michelle Salter.

A Half Marathon For The Pond

Events, Fund Raising

2014-03-16_Half Marathon 01

Runners at the 2014 Fleet Half Marathon

David Pottinger writes:

Some months ago I mentioned the Photography Competition organised by the Mackenzie Smith Estate Agency. It focused on scenes from the North Hampshire region and the winning entries were presented as a calendar for 2015. It was great to find that the picture for July was one of Fleet Pond (see below).

July-Chris-Straker-Fleet-Pond
The calendar entry for July, Fleet Pond by Chris Straker

Following on from this, two members of the Mackenzie Smith marketing team, Roxanne Lewington and Tara Skinner, have bravely decided to run in the 2015 Fleet Half Marathon with all financial donations going to the Clearwater Campaign for Fleet Pond.

Roxanne comments (see here):

I have never run a half marathon before and am quite daunted. Having signed up just 8 weeks before the event and with no pre-existing exercise regime the training has been a bit of a shock to the system, but I’m determined to finish it, even if it does mean training after a long day at work.

The event will take place on Sunday 22 March 2015.

If you’d like to support Roxanne and Tara, and in so doing help fund improvements at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve, please consider donating on their Virgin Money Giving page here. So far, over £120 has been pledged!

The visionary Clearwater Campaign was initiated by Fleet Pond Society (FPS) and you can read all about it on the FPS website here:

It is a campaign to restore Fleet Pond Nature Reserve to a healthier and more valuable amenity for wildlife and people.

The campaign will be a partnership between Fleet Pond Society, Hart District Council, Natural England, the Environment Agency and other interested parties. Its purpose is to try and raise enough money to fund a major restoration of the Pond. The restoration programme would include projects of benefit to local people and visitors, by providing additional seating areas, a variety of new information boards, improved footpaths and bridges, and the installation of new fishing jetties.

There’s also a useful video (from 2010) featuring Chris Packham, who is the Patron of Fleet Pond Society, that explains the original motivation for the campaign:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBtVcLvioIE&w=560&h=315]

Incidentally, the Fleet Half Marathon has an interesting background and is well worth watching on the day, both for the range and numbers of runners (including some ‘characters’, eg see below) and for the excellent friendly atmosphere.

2014-03-16_Half Marathon 02

Late for the office!

Details of the event, including the route and timings, can be found here, from which:

Sunday 4th April 1982 saw a new experience greet the town of Fleet. In the midst of the 80’s running boom Fleet & Crookham Athletic Club, sponsored by the Star Newspaper and with assistance from local businesses, launched the first of many successful half marathons. Chris Brasher (founder of the London Marathon) gave permission for the event to be titled “The Pre-London”…

Entries rose to 5,000 a year with a regular 3,000 completing the course. For many years the race was closed for entries by Christmas, such being its popularity. We now accept just 3,500 runners due to the restrictions of the course. The race still reaches its entries target with it normally being full well before Christmas despite competition from other major half marathons on the same day/same month.

Celebrities and TV/film personalities are regular visitors. Elite athletes gracing the event have included Steve Jones (former marathon world record holder), with internationals Steve Brace, Garry Staines, Bernie Ford, Marion Sutton, Ann Ford, Paula Fudge. Club and local athletes continue to use the race as a warm up for the London Marathon as well as for a personal best opportunity in its own right.

We all wish Roxanne and Tara the very best in their training and for a great result on the day!

Photo credits: top and bottom, David Pottinger.

Fleet Pond Society AGM – Saturday 21 February 2015

Events, Photography

FPS 2013 Liza Toth Winner - Small

The overall winner for the 2013 FPS Photographic Competition – Liza Toth

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Fleet Pond Society will take place at 7.15pm on Saturday 21st February 2015 at St. P & J Church Hall, Kings Road, Fleet.

We would like to encourage members to attend. This is your opportunity to put questions to the Executive Committee and share your views on the future of Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve.

Nominations are requested for the election of Officers and Members to the Executive Committee. Current committee members are required to stand down at the AGM but will be eligible for re-election.

If you would like to nominate someone, please contact the Secretary of FPS, Michelle Salter, via Michelle@FleetPondSociety.co.uk

Following the official business of the AGM there will be a short break for refreshments before we announce the winners of the Photographic Competition 2014. We hope everyone who has entered will come along to see their photographs on display.

A gallery of the winning entries for the 2013 Competition can be seen here.

Volunteer Event This Sunday, 8 February

Conservation, Events, Volunteering

David Pottinger writes:

There will be a volunteer event this Sunday, 8 February at Fleet Pond.

Why not come along for some fresh air and exercise, as well as having the nice feeling that you’re doing something really useful for the local community?

For further information and booking (which is essential as tools and resources have to be planned beforehand), please contact Hart Countryside Services:

Phone: 01252 623443
Email: countryside@hart.gov.uk

The tasks are supervised by Rachel Jones of Hart Countryside Rangers together with members of Fleet Pond Society (FPS).

Details of the task (weather permitting) are here, which also gives a list of future Sunday volunteer events (Feb – Jun 2015).

For interest, here’s some pictures from the corresponding event held last year (see here):

2014-02-09_fps-03

Tasty hot potatoes – it was obviously not that cold either, t-shirt weather!

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FPS Sunday Events Schedule (Feb to Jun 2015)

Conservation, Events, Volunteering

FPS Sunday Events 2015 1The next volunteer event is a week this Sunday, 8 February 2015.

For this event, Colin Gray, Chairman of Fleet Pond Society (FPS), writes:

“The task will be directed at reducing holly growth in the woodland fringes around Guildford Road access point. Holly develops thick cover which shades out the diversity of ground flora so it needs to be thinned to maintain the diverse ground plant life.

Holly is also (as you know) very prickly stuff to handle so please ensure your arms are covered and avoid scratching your (or anyone else’s) face. There are some people who react to holly scratches with a rash so care is important.

Please register with Rachel well in advance of the day to ensure we load enough tools, email countryside@hart.gov.uk or phone 01252 623443.

Rachel is a busy ranger, so the sooner she can compile her list the happier she is.

Hope to see you there rain, sun or snow!”

A reminder will be given on this blog next week and some information on the previous task (in January) is available here.